When a stroke strikes, minutes matter. A stroke means blood flow is interrupted. That can damage your brain. And that damage could leave you with deficits you can feel weeks, months or even years later. That's why experts encourage people to get care as soon as they experience stroke symptoms.
But where you get care matters too. Truly exceptional stroke centers—like ours at Great Plains Health—can provide the timely treatment you need for your best chance at a full recovery.
Our Stroke Center is the first and only primary stroke center in the North Platte region certified by CIHQ.
About our stroke designation
Our distinguished designation means that we have a proven track record for providing effective and timely stroke treatment.
Our stroke center has also earned the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award with Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite Plus. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to providing the most appropriate stroke treatment according to nationally recognized guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.
Your stroke center team
We offer an experienced multidisciplinary team that includes emergency physicians trained in stroke diagnosis and neurologists with advanced training in the treatment of stroke.
When you come to our emergency room, our team might perform blood tests, brain scans and heart rhythm tests, all with the goal of identifying the damage caused by the stroke. Those same test results can be used to identify your risk for a future stroke. We work fast, so you can get the care you need as quickly as possible.
A modern approach to stroke diagnosis
In order to provide around-the-clock neurology expertise to our North Platte community, we use telemedicine. This technique allows a board-certified neurologist to examine you in the aftermath of a stroke, even if he or she isn't in the stroke center at the moment.
Your neurologist will conduct an exam with the help of a nurse and a telemedicine robot. This robot has an LCD monitor that displays two-way live video between you and your neurologist. All of the information is encrypted and secure.
Starting your stroke recovery
Strokes are serious, and often, you'll need to stay in the hospital in order to recover. During your hospital stay, your stroke care team will continue to monitor and test you for changes in your neurological status. Your team may also watch for signs of:
- Seizures. Changes in your brain’s electrical activity after stroke can cause seizures. Medications can help, and your team will order those drugs if needed.
- Swallowing difficulties. Brain damage caused by a stroke can make swallowing difficult or impossible. Tests can help us determine how well you can swallow, and if you're struggling, we can amend your diet with the help of our dietitians.
- Blood clots. Bed rest and decreased activity after a stroke can increase your risk of developing blood clots in your legs or lungs. Medications and compression stockings will be used while you are in the hospital to help lower that risk.
We may also perform blood tests to determine the cause of your stroke and monitor the effectiveness of your medications.
You will also be connected with a stroke rehabilitation team in the hospital, so you can start working on your recovery as soon as possible.